The local fire department said that the blazes which
broke out at numerous spots across the island are believed to have been started
by lightning strikes during a heavy storm. A state of emergency has been
declared on the island. Before it was contained, the fire severely damaged:
• The monastery garden and
• Several monastery buildings such as the Wood Shop for icons and for furniture, the
Animal Houses and three cells that housed nuns
• Most of the 3,500 olive orchard which fed the nuns
and provided much needed income
• Many fruit trees and flower beds
• Electric Lines
In miraculous way, the fire spared several large fuel
tanks surrounded by bushes, even though all bushes around them were burned and
all external pipes melted. The monastery was left without electricity and
water. It was reported that two-thirds of the island has been damaged by this
wildfire.
Located in the south-eastern part of Thassos, the
Monastery of the Archangel Michael is under spiritual guidance of Geronda
Ephraim. Built on a cliff above the Aegean Sea with a view of the Mount Athos
(Agion Oros), the monastery is a convent and a dependency of Philotheu Monastery
on Mount Athos. The most valuable relic treasured at the monastery is a piece
of the Holy Nail from the Crucifixion of Christ.
The exact year of the foundation of the monastery is
unknown, but it is said that on the site the hermit Lucas built a chapel on the
exact place where the Archangel Michael appeared to him in a vision. Saint Lucas built the chapel over the spring
of holy water gushing from the stone that the Archangel struck with his rod.
Once, a few Turks tried to defile the spring, but they failed due to the
miraculous appearance of the Archangel Michael. Immediately, however, the
spring dried up, and begun flowing in a new place, in a cave close to the
sea. The holy water still springs there
today and is a source of many great miracles and healings.
During the time of Ottoman rule, the monastery was
completely abandoned and became deserted.
In 1973 Geronda Ephraim was appointed Abbot of Philotheu Monastery on
Mount Athos. The following year the first nuns and a priest-monk from Philotheu
settled on Thassos and labored greatly in order to transform the sacred place.
With their dedication and hard work, the deserted place was quickly restored to
its former glory. It was the first monastery in Greece renovated from the
abandoned state under the direction and the spiritual guidance of Geronda
Ephraim. In the early 1980’s Elder Ephraim relocated his mother, Gerondissa
Theophano (†1986), to this monastery, where she peacefully reposed a few years
later and was buried in the monastery cemetery.
The tragedy caused by the fire obviously disrupted the
sisterhood's well-ordered monastic life and is a big trial and a great
challenge for them. Due to the current economical crisis in Greece, monasteries
in general are receiving less support and donations from visitors. We set up
this Fire Fund for anyone who would like to help the monastery to alleviate the
effects of the disaster as quickly as possible.
Lastly, let us not forget that this monastery was the
major provider of donations to build our American monasteries.
Thank you for your donations and for your prayers and
may the Archangel Michael continue to offer you his protection and
intercessions to God.
Please help us spread the word by forwarding this
message to a friend.
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